There is nothing worse than a colleague, family member, or partner who puts you down every chance they get. Their superior behavior can make you feel miserable – but that’s where we come in.

We’ll help you understand why they act this way, and what you can do to finally put a stop to it.

Signs of condescending people watch out for

Here are some toxic caring person behaviors and traits to help you recognize if the person you’re dealing with is being condescending.

1) Think highly of their level of intelligence
These people think they are the most amazing people ever and that you should listen to their ever increasing experience.

They still brag about how smart and smart they are. They take every opportunity to let everyone in the room and the world at large know about this.

Since they act this way, they don’t think much of others.

According to Psych Central, they give off that condescending smile to make a person feel less than themselves.

They even feel that no one should ignore what they do or say.

2) Assuming they know everything
There is nothing wrong with sharing and trusting what you know. But there is a fine line between arrogance and humility.

Nobody likes a know-it-all.

A condescending person tends to explain things, even simple things that most people already know. Sometimes, they also tend to make unnecessary noise so that they can hide their ignorance.

It’s annoying because you feel like the other person assumes that you don’t have the same knowledge as they do.

3) Giving unsolicited advice
They usually give their opinion on every issue. They feel that no one is more qualified to speak on any topic than they are.

But the problem is, this person wants you to listen and accept it – even if you think their advice is nonsense and silly.

This is because these people believe that their opinion is something that the world cannot miss.

Sometimes they think they are doing you a favor.

4) Put up a brave front
While he brags about his superiority and acts arrogant most of the time, this person is full of insecurities.

He hides it by wearing a false mask of self-confidence and intelligence.

This person also appears most of the time and is believed to have a certain class. But the truth is, there isn’t.

This kind of behavior pushes people away.

5) Brag about their accomplishments
They spend their time showcasing themselves, showing off their talents, their accomplishments, and everything they have.

These people feel better than you and everyone else. They have this need to project the perceived greatness they thought they had.

Toxic, empathetic people tend to feel insecure – and they do this to boost their image and show how much better they are.

It may be because this is their way of making up for shortcomings that they hope you will never know about.

6) Disparaging pet names like “sweetie” or “boss”

This person keeps using pet names to address you. For instance, “Dear, I’ll buy you a drink.”

Your first instinct will be like, “I think this person is an idiot.”

While some find it cool to have an old lady call them “Hon” – not everyone likes it either.

Using those overly familiar nicknames doesn’t make a person feel good. People even find them condescending when it turns out they are dealing with others.

Even if it sounds sweet and delicious, or like something you might call your dog, avoid using pet names when addressing people.

Pet names are not necessary because they make people feel inferior. It also raises the problem of obsession and the illusion of an ulterior motive.

For example, a boss calls his subordinates “boss” or “honey” as a way of rubbing elbows with them. When it comes to interacting with service personnel, some tend to call them “the boss” or “the big guy.”

In a Men’s Health survey, 43 percent of respondents said that when someone calls them “boss,” they think that person is an “arrogant fool.”

7) Putting you and others at rock bottom
You will notice that this person tends to be critical of you and others. You can’t hear them say good things about people.

They speak badly of others and even those who are not around you.

They are critical and concerned about other people’s weaknesses and mistakes. But they can’t take it when people criticize them.

Perhaps belittling others is their way of boosting their self-esteem.

Watch out for the possibility that this person may do the same to you.

8) Make themselves the center of attention
When you talk, that person will either act bored or change the subject.

Instead of understanding what you are saying, they will refuse to listen.

Since you’re getting the attention they think they could be getting, they turn the conversation back on themselves.

This is their way of showing that what they have to say is more interesting and more important than you.

They never allow anyone to speak because they feel their voice is more important than you or anyone else.

9) Being right all the time
Even if they made a mistake or did something wrong, they wouldn’t admit it.

They may push facts in your face, challenge you, or even blame others. They feel right no matter what.

When someone in your life won’t apologize and insist that you’re wrong, you’re dealing with a toxic person.

10) Saying “take it easy” or “lighten up”
You are entitled to your feelings and reactions.

He suggests that you “relax,” “relax,” or “calm down.” It indicates that your enthusiasm or response to something is incorrect.

When someone says these kinds of statements to you, that person may be minimizing your feelings — or not caring at all.

It seems like this person doesn’t respect your feelings or doesn’t want to take the time to understand your thoughts.

Women tend to have this type of response as men tend to perceive a woman’s reaction as emotional (even if it wasn’t). It’s like saying a woman is too dramatic or over the top.

11) Saying that you “never” or “always” do something
Do you know someone who makes broad generalizations or judgments about your behavior?

For example, they’ll tell you something like, “You always do it the other way around,” or, “You never learn from your mistakes.”

This makes you feel like you are being put in a box. It is a sign that this person has a condescending personality.

Organizational culture expert Jennifer Anna Chatman, Ph.D. She shares that “these words are extreme adjectives that are not 100% true, and using them can evoke a sense of exasperation.”

12) Use the words “actually” and “only” several times

There are hurtful and scary words that can make people feel inferior.

Hearing these words is like receiving a backhanded compliment — and it’s worse than no praise at all.

For example, someone in the meeting said, “Hey, I actually thought that was a good idea.”

This person seems to expect very little from you and seems surprised at your contribution.

It’s like saying, “I would never expect that from you.”

Or when someone tells you, “It’s simple. Just do it this way.”

13) Ignore your limits
If you are clear about your time and place, this person will continue to act the way they want to.

This person feels entitled to cross those boundaries. Like they’re talking to you when you say you don’t want to be disturbed, or they’ll come anytime they want.

Not only does this person violate your desires, but he also disrespects you.

Healthy relationships are built on trust and respect for boundaries. But the transcendentalists cannot do that.

14) Interruption to correct pronunciation
Don’t be squeamish when someone corrects you.

While this may sound like someone is trying to be helpful, it can also cross the line and become condescending.

If it becomes an ongoing problem, it might be something you want to talk to them about.

Even during casual conversations, this person tends to put you or someone else in an uncomfortable place.

They tend to storm in just to correct you whenever you mispronounce a word or name.

15) Pretending to be concerned about your well-being
You can feel that they really care about you, but they don’t.

This is what transcendents do.

Their false sense of anxiety can be seen as real, but it’s a trick to catch you at your most vulnerable.

When they turn to your affection, they will either point out what you did wrong or they will famously say, “I told you so.”

See, this will make you feel a lot worse than before.

16) Pat people on the head
Our head is one of the holiest parts of our body.

There are some instances where patting someone on the back or shoulder is acceptable. But patting on the head is a different thing – and not very good.

Nobody deserves a pat on the head.

A pat on the head is like imposing oneself on another person. Look, if this person pats you, you’ll be tempted to look up.

17) Speaking sarcastic
Sarcastic statements can be funny and meaningful because they are a true lie.

If you hear someone make a lot of sarcastic remarks like “yeah, right,” “whatever” or “really,” that’s a sign of an arrogant person.

This type of behavior is actually rooted in anger, mistrust, and vulnerability.

They are used to speaking sarcastically. They couldn’t bring themselves to say what they meant directly. They also don’t realize that they’re actually feeling other people’s feelings.

They even say the opposite of what is true to make someone feel or look foolish.

18) Unhappy with you

A condescending person will always find a reason to make you feel inferior.

Even if you’re excited about your trip out of town, they’ll tell you, “You won’t enjoy your stay there.”

Or if you have a big project coming up, they might say, “You can’t handle that much work.”

Instead of having their support, you may feel jealous.

According to an article in Psych Central, “They will try to talk you down, talk to you in a condescending way, and manipulate you into thinking that you are wrong and that your feelings don’t matter.”

See, they have no interest in what’s important to you.

They are not satisfied with the wonderful things that you have and everything that is going on in your life.